Down On The Farm: Dodgers Minor League Week August 3-August 9
We’re now in August and the Dodgers have continued their extremely hot play that has resulted in them now being 5.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers returned home from an eight game road trip in which they went 7-1 without the services of outfielder Matt Kemp and missed shortstop Hanley Ramirez for the last half of the trip. The Dodgers called up shortstop Dee Gordon to play in the place of Ramirez and he’s done a nice job filling the void.
Here is a look at what the other Dodger prospects have been up too this week.
AAA Albuquerque Isotopes- The Isotopes started the week without their big bat, Scott Van Slyke, who was with the with big league squad before returning to the Isotopes on Monday. But as Van Slyke was returning, shortstop Dee Gordon was departing out to St. Louis to join the Dodgers for their four game series against the Cardinals.
-Offense
Scott Van Slyke: After being sent back down by the Dodgers, Van Slyke hasn’t had many at-bats for the Isotopes. This week Van Slyke only had six at bats, collecting two hits, one being a home run, and drove in two. The 40-man roster is less than a month away so Van Slyke will be rejoining the Dodgers shortly unless there is another injury the Dodgers suffer before then.
Alex Castellanos: We took a look at Castellanos last week as he also could join the Dodgers when the 40-man rosters go in affect in September. Castellanos is hitting.257 so far this season and this week, he went 3-13 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored.
-Pitching
Javy Guerra: Guerra has been pitching out of the bullpen this season for the Isotopes after stints with the Dodgers early in his career. So far this season, he a 2.32 ERA in 31 innings pitched and eight saves.
Guerra is another candidate for the Dodgers on their 40-man roster and could be another asset out of their much improved bullpen. This week, Guerra pitched in two games working two innings, allowing zero runs on three hits and had two strikeouts.
AA Chattanooga Lookouts- The Lookouts have struggled to find their rhythm this season as they continue to sit in the bottom of the Southern League North. It has to be concerning when the Dodgers are stashing their top prospects on this team and the team as a whole is not performing well. But nevertheless, there are some players that continue to stand out and attempt to turn some heads.
-Offense
Joc Pederson: Pederson continues to be the Dodgers top outfield prospect as he swings the bat well. Pederson probably won’t be joining the Dodgers in September as a way to make sure he plays every day and stays fresh.
This week, Pederson went 3-19 with one RBI and just one run scored and it was clearly an off week for Pederson to say the least.
-Pitching
Chris Reed: We checked back up on Reed this week as he continues to be one of the Dodgers’ best pitchers in the minor leagues. However, this was not one of Reed’s best weeks as he pitched seven innings allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three batters.
It was also reported this week that Reed was apart of some trade discussions, so perhaps he had his mind occupied by other things.
Zach Lee: Lee has had his struggles this season, but has bounced back with some quality starts recently. Lee has a 3.60 ERA so far this season and this week Lee pitched five innings allowing two runs on three hits and struck out two batters.
A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes- The Quakes welcomed Corey Seager to the team this week after he was moved up last week. Seager’s is the Dodgers’ second ranked overall prospect n and they can only hope Seager keeps up his production at a high level.
Corey Seager: After a tremendous week last week, which resulted in him being promoted to the Quakes, Seager slowed down a little. He was 4-21 with two RBI’s three runs scored and hit his first home run at Class-A.
A Great Lakes Loons- Just one week after the Loons lost Corey Seager as he moved up to their high A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga, the Loons still posses the Dodgers’ number four overall prospect in the organization, Julio Urias.
Julio Urias: This week Urias continued to pitch his usual short outings to make sure they don’t he isn’t taxed too much due to his young age. This week, Urias pitched only one inning, allowing zero runs and zero hits, but didn’t strike anyone out.